I've partnered with Allstate for this post.
How is everyone doing on those New Year's resolutions?! We're a couple weeks into the new year, but it is still prime time to make some goals and write down a plan of action for this year. Growing up, my family took goal-making seriously and because we took the time to write down our plan, share it, and look at it throughout the year, I think we had great success at following through and accomplishing big things. My mom always encouraged us to make goals in four different areas, and in doing so, we made a plan that was well-rounded, healthy, and focused on improving the whole self. Below are some tips as you create your own New Year's Resolution Plan, plus a few tips that will help you create a plan that is achievable!
First of all, I recommend dividing your plan into four parts: Physical, Relational, Financial, and Academic. Try to create three small goals within each section.
1. PHYSICAL
Making weight-loss goals is common this time of year. It's easy to see why when the majority of us find ourselves sitting in pile of Christmas candy wrappers at the end of the year, feeling weighed down by all the poor eating choices we've been making (realistically) since Halloween. Rather than try to overhaul your lifestyle all at once, pace yourself and make short-term goals to help you stay on track. Perhaps you could write down "Drink more water" or "Get a bike." If you’re trying to lose weight this year, think about cutting out one unhealthy food from your diet and spending an additional 10 to 15 minutes at the gym each week.
2. RELATIONAL
Think about the relationships that you want to work on this year. Do you want to improve your relationship with your mother? Go on 50 dates? Get the courage to propose? Or maybe focus on things like spending at least 20 uninterrupted minutes every day talking with your child. Healthy relationship goals are just as important as other kinds of goals because relationships need deliberate care and attention, just like our bodies or our bank accounts.
3. FINANCIAL
Look at your budget and see where you fell short last year. Make goals to save a higher percentage of income than last year, and take steps toward retirement now. Consider opening a Roth IRA account – they are available to every U.S. citizen who has earned income from a job. Roth IRAs allow you to invest already-taxed income, so that you won’t have to pay taxes on the money you take out. The United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) offers a number of resources and guides that may help you educate yourself on investing as well.
4. ACADEMIC
Keep your mind active! Enroll in a class, teach yourself a new skill, or find a mentor. Think of steps that will put you on a path to higher education, no matter where you are now. It's never too early to focus on your child's education, and a smart move would be to set up a 529 college savings plan for your child. A few easy ways to contribute to this savings plan is to link a credit card to the account and earn cash back, ask family for support, or set up direct deposit. You can also check out Allstate’s video, “Penny-wise tips for new parents: college savings,” for tips about saving for your child’s education.
And here are four tips that will keep you on track!
- Keep organized! Not only will this reduce your stress level, but it will make you feel like you’re up for any challenge. Staying organized will help you stay on top of your demands and keep your mind uncluttered so you can focus on those big goals.
- Set realistic expectations. This will help you stay motivated and avoid disappointment. Avoid making resolutions that are outside of your control, and instead focus on what you can change.
- Make short-term goals. They can help you stay on track. Rather than try to overhaul your lifestyle, pace yourself.
- Reward yourself! Creating rewards, even small ones, is an important step in rewiring your brain to make a change. You deserve it.
Feel free to print out our goal chart above and fill it in with your goals for the year! With your 4-fold resolution plan written down and placed somewhere you'll see it often, you're on the road to success! Remember our tips to keep your resolutions this year: if you keep organized, set realistic expectations, make short-term goals, and reward yourself, the sky is the limit on what you can do this year!
This post was written as part of the Allstate Influencer Program and sponsored by Allstate. All opinions are mine. As the nation's largest publicly held personal lines insurer, Allstate is dedicated to not only protecting what matters most -- but to guiding people to live the Good Life, every day.
Heather Johnson says
My only goal for the year is to not buy any toys or books for my kiddos. We have too many toys and can get any book we want from the library. I need to stay away from thrift shops, but so far I have succeeded in my goal.
Deborah D says
Thanks for the tips. I usually don't make resolutions.
michele ziemann says
i have never done this before but this year i am going to try to get my home organized and start the remodel.thank u for the great tips
Jeanna Massman says
Thanks for the inspiration! I love the way it's broken down into 4 manageable focus areas.
Mary Beth Elderton says
This is a very good way to organize goals. I think sticking with four areas is enough to allow real focus. These could be tailored to the individual as well--I might replace educational goals (that seems to be something I just do naturally lol) with plans to finish remodeling our home, say a room or area at a time.
Rachel says
I like your mapping system for your goals. The four categories are important too!
Michelle Elizondo says
I like how you charted your goals. That's a great way to keep tract of them.
debrawallace says
wish I could even do this. I just hope for things to get straight in my life where the stress level goes down, alot
Nancy says
These are some helpful tips for planning a great new year.
Julie L says
I like how it makes you consider different aspects of your life.
Amber Ludwig says
Love this!! What a great way to organize and keep track of a realistic goal!! I hate it when people make goals they just cannot achieve!! I mean its great to set standards high but lets also be realistic too!! That way we can achieve goals and be so super proud of ourselves!!
Brittany Hardin says
I love the four categories! I had the same as a kid but we also had spiritual goals added to it.... it is a wonderful way to help yourself throughout the year make wise and great decisions!
Sarah C says
Thanks for the tips!
Lisa Garland says
I really like how you have the resolutions divided into four parts. It makes it less overwhelming and actually seem doable! Thank you for the tips and help!!
Mia says
I like that the resolutions are divided up into 4 parts. For me this would make it easier to think about and not a overwhelming as a "big" goal. That way I could always feel that I was achieving something.
Marti Tabora says
I don't usually make resolutions, but this is a really great plan for those who do. Thanks for sharing.
Dorothy Boucher says
I love how you laid out everything here, I have often put a few of my thoughts of what my plans are and 99% of the
time they end up falling flat loll, I do try I really did,,, I am hoping this year will be better for me, Great plan here..
@tisonlyme143
Stephanie H. says
What a neat plan to put my yearly goals on. Maybe now I can accomplish all of them this year. Thanks!
Jennifer Babich says
Love how well rounded this is. I often focus solely on the physical without remembering how important the other factors are as well.
Dorothy Teel says
Some great ideas, I don't like the word resolutions (as we have had for years and it is so easy to break) but I wish for ideals in my life, and strive to obtain them, I like the weight one about cutting out one item from your me and getting more exercise this is very important and people need to try it, I also resolve to save more money for holidays and the 52 week saving plan is helpful. Thank you for sharing
GillisHills says
I like the idea of putting resolutions in categories. Thanks for sharing!
Sarah L says
My goal is to swim 3 times a week.
Holden Humphreys says
Nice tips. I would add a "spiritual" section with goals of more meaningful time in prayer, more time in the Bible, etc.
Karen Giasson says
Lots of great ideas to keep me on track. Thank You.
Linda Mannst says
These are such great suggestions. I have been trying to work on a couple of these. I did start eating much healthier but the weight isn't falling off like I thought. I do feel much better though and the bloating in my stomach has gone down.
Seyma Shabbir says
This is a great idea to balance resolutions instead of everyone saying lose weight! 🙂 Thanks for sharing!
Amy Turnbull says
I love the great ideas
Allyson Bossie says
This year my goal is to buy our first time home, and to take risks. I am so set in my ways, and I want to try new things. Even as simple as a new recipe or new dinner at a restaurant 😀
Rita M says
I think the most important idea listed under each category is setting realistic goals... so many times we set ourselves up for failure by making the goals ridiculously out of reach and ultimately unattainable. Thanks for the input.
Rebecca Yahrling says
My resolution is to get my craft room organized ... I haven't even started! I will need to take several days off work (like a vacation!) in order to start.
Mary Jo Mort says
Goals,goals,goals,I believe in myself.
Jerri Adams says
I've always liked the idea of setting smaller goals and non-food related rewards when trying to lose weight. I'm an impatient "big-picture" type of person so it drives me nuts to see that i am not getting to my goals as quickly as I think I should be. These tips are helpful in that sense.
Holly Thomas says
I never keep any resolutions.
Brianna Revard says
I like the idea of mini-goals in multiple areas that are more attainable vs one big(perhaps unrealistic goal). A bonus to this is having more opportunities for success that will keep you going and motivate you even more. If you are failing at one mini goal, you still 11 other opportunities for success.
Susan Hartman says
My plans to get a plan. Last 2 years have been a mess.
jennifer peters says
These are very helpful hints in actually succeeding in new year's resolution. I love the fact that there is small steps under the large goals.
Deborah D says
Thanks for these tips.
Kara Marks says
These are good ideas--we need resolutions in all of these categories.
harley anne says
These are some great tips. Setting small goals is spot on to getting to your goal. I found I was able to lose weight if I seriously cut back on carbs but not cut out the carbs. You will always want to eat them so if you limit them to small quantity as a reward then less likely to cave. Well it was working for me until I found it difficult to afford "healthy" food. Now I am working on couponing to help.
Sarah L says
I'm good on the financials since I don't have cable and do shop at thrift stores.
Anita Jude says
Great tips on how to keep your new years resolutions
Beth R says
I love the idea of taking a class. It would be a nice break from the kids too and some adult time
sheila ressel says
I'm not doing so great on my New Year's resolutions so I'm hoping to use the tips you've provided to get me on track so that I can be successful.
Sarah L says
I plan to take several classes throughout the year.
Beverly Guajardo says
I like how you charted your goals. Great way to keep up with them.
Michelle Elizondo says
Awesome planning methods.
Richard Hicks says
Lot of good advice. Love the one about setting realistic goals
Linda Mannst says
Thank you for sharing this. It is a big help.